Jim Craig reveals he was surprised to see ‘the poor state’ of Rangers’ Ibrox stadium

[ian1964 10,447]

Celtic legend Jim Craig reveals he was surprised to see ‘the poor state’ of Rangers’ Ibrox stadium during recent Old Firm derby.

 

European Cup winning legend Craig wasn't impressed with the nick of the iconic stadium during a recent trip.

 

By Robert Collins

 

LISBON LION Jim Craig admits he was shocked to discover the ‘poor state of Ibrox’ during an Old Firm clash last season.

 

The Celtic legend still follows the Hoops and is regularly spotted in the stands at Parkhead along with fellow 1967 European Cup hero Bertie Auld.

 

But after taking in a game against Rangers in Govan last term, the 74-year-old said he was surprised at the stadium’s poor condition as he bemoaned the lack of competition in Scotland.

 

He told CeltsAreHere: “Brendan Rodgers has done a great job since he came in and I would not be at all surprised if we picked up another Treble at the end of the season.“However it would also be fair to say to say that the quality of the opposition in Scotland is not all it might be.“Quite a number of clubs are in financial trouble and do not have the cash to bring in players of a better standard than the ones already in the club.

 

“Even our traditional rivals from across the city are not in the best of financial health and I was really surprised at the poor state inside of Ibrox when I attended one of the derbies last season.

 

“If we don’t get the competition we need from teams in Scotland, then it means that when we hit the European scene, we have to raise out game quite considerably when we come up against some of the Continent’s best teams.“This is difficult to achieve and it is no surprise that we can struggle at that level.”

 

We previously told how cheeky Celtic fans had planned to wear hard hats to Ibrox last season in a pop over the stadium’s roofing.

 

The idea came after hundreds of Rangers supporters were forced to move seats during a Championship clash against Dumbarton in 2015 due to ‘fabric’ issues.

But the wind-up was blocked by Police Scotland as the Hoops edged out 2-1 winners on the day.

 

However, Rangers supporters got one back on their rivals weeks later after pictures emerged online of a giant hole in the Celtic Park facade.

 

The Glasgow giants are due to meet again at Parkhead on December 30.

 

Meanwhile Craig believes Celtic wonderkid Kieran Tierney has the world at his feet – but might be tempted to leave for the Premier League one day.

 

Tierney – who recently captained Scotland against Holland – signed a mammoth six-year deal with the Scottish champions last month.

 

That has led to suggestions that the Hoops-mad defender could become a one-club man and see out the rest of his career at Parkhead.

 

But Craig believes the wages on offer in England could eventually prove too much to turn down.

 

He said: “Kieran Tierney is a special player, with everything that a top defender needs.“He has pace, strength and tackles well; he also loves to come forward to help out the forwards.

 

“And, even better, he has always been a Celtic fan. I hope he will be at Celtic Park for a long time.“However there is a serious financial gulf between what a player can earn in Scotland and what he could pick up in England.

 

“Right now, Kieran seems very happy with his lot at Celtic Park.“Suppose, though, that he was being advised by a financial advisor that knows the British scene; what advice would he be giving our young star?”

 

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/1836226/celtic-jim-craig-rangers-ibrox/

 

You would think they were trying to promote the piggery for the SFA to move into!

[pete 2,499]

Celtic legend Jim Craig reveals he was surprised to see ‘the poor state’ of Rangers’ Ibrox stadium during recent Old Firm derby.

 

European Cup winning legend Craig wasn't impressed with the nick of the iconic stadium during a recent trip.

 

By Robert Collins

 

LISBON LION Jim Craig admits he was shocked to discover the ‘poor state of Ibrox’ during an Old Firm clash last season.

 

The Celtic legend still follows the Hoops and is regularly spotted in the stands at Parkhead along with fellow 1967 European Cup hero Bertie Auld.

 

But after taking in a game against Rangers in Govan last term, the 74-year-old said he was surprised at the stadium’s poor condition as he bemoaned the lack of competition in Scotland.

 

He told CeltsAreHere: “Brendan Rodgers has done a great job since he came in and I would not be at all surprised if we picked up another Treble at the end of the season.“However it would also be fair to say to say that the quality of the opposition in Scotland is not all it might be.“Quite a number of clubs are in financial trouble and do not have the cash to bring in players of a better standard than the ones already in the club.

 

“Even our traditional rivals from across the city are not in the best of financial health and I was really surprised at the poor state inside of Ibrox when I attended one of the derbies last season.

 

“If we don’t get the competition we need from teams in Scotland, then it means that when we hit the European scene, we have to raise out game quite considerably when we come up against some of the Continent’s best teams.“This is difficult to achieve and it is no surprise that we can struggle at that level.”

 

We previously told how cheeky Celtic fans had planned to wear hard hats to Ibrox last season in a pop over the stadium’s roofing.

 

The idea came after hundreds of Rangers supporters were forced to move seats during a Championship clash against Dumbarton in 2015 due to ‘fabric’ issues.

But the wind-up was blocked by Police Scotland as the Hoops edged out 2-1 winners on the day.

 

However, Rangers supporters got one back on their rivals weeks later after pictures emerged online of a giant hole in the Celtic Park facade.

 

The Glasgow giants are due to meet again at Parkhead on December 30.

 

Meanwhile Craig believes Celtic wonderkid Kieran Tierney has the world at his feet – but might be tempted to leave for the Premier League one day.

 

Tierney – who recently captained Scotland against Holland – signed a mammoth six-year deal with the Scottish champions last month.

 

That has led to suggestions that the Hoops-mad defender could become a one-club man and see out the rest of his career at Parkhead.

 

But Craig believes the wages on offer in England could eventually prove too much to turn down.

 

He said: “Kieran Tierney is a special player, with everything that a top defender needs.“He has pace, strength and tackles well; he also loves to come forward to help out the forwards.

 

“And, even better, he has always been a Celtic fan. I hope he will be at Celtic Park for a long time.“However there is a serious financial gulf between what a player can earn in Scotland and what he could pick up in England.

 

“Right now, Kieran seems very happy with his lot at Celtic Park.“Suppose, though, that he was being advised by a financial advisor that knows the British scene; what advice would he be giving our young star?”

 

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/1836226/celtic-jim-craig-rangers-ibrox/

 

You would think they were trying to promote the piggery for the SFA to move into!

 

It is always in a state when Celtic come.

[Gonzo79 13,752]

An ex-Celtc player interviewed by a Celtc blog makes disparaging remarks about Rangers shocker.

 

I'd rather watch football on Glasgow Green than sit in the Piggery every other week. It's unsafe...especially for kids.

[compo 6,215]

He is probably spot on but stadium renovations will have to wait until we get our club sorted and that will take time .

[Bill 13,717]

To be fair, while his motives are dubious, he does have a point. The last time is was in the club deck I was appalled at the state of the place. Leaking roof, buckets catching drips, water damage down the walls, a sorry mess of decay and neglect. The worst aspect of it was not being in the least bit surprised.

[boabie 230]

The paper is to blame for this sensationalism. It looks to me like Craig was talking about the lack of money in Scottish football and he's said it's so bad it has even affected a club the size of Rangers. The paper then twist the comment.

Hardly surprising to be honest.

[RANGERRAB 3,299]

Oh dear. If Jimbo thinks the San Giro is in tip top condition he's going to be in for a shock in the not too distant future.

[aweebluesoandso 290]

Hold on a minute, wasn't someone killed at Parkhead a few years ago from falling from a stairwell. Also someone badly slashed for asking for bottled water instead of tap water, people in glass houses shouldn't throw aspersions around.

Edited November 14, 2017 by aweebluesoandso

[ranger_syntax 3,794]

I have no idea who Jim Craig is but the stadium does appear to need a fair amount of work.

[RANGERRAB 3,299]

Ibrox does need a fair bit of refurbishment but is structurally sound.